About D.K.

D.K. Johnston is a full-time Director and Assistant Director for film & television production with over 12 years of experience. Got his start in the small indie film community of Anchorage, Alaska making low/no budget snow machine and snowboard videos before collaborating on his first feature film in 2005-2006. After gaining his BA in Journalism from the Univ. of Alaska Anchorage he pursued an MFA in Film Production in Los Angeles through the New York Film Academy. After graduating in 2009 he worked for various production and post-production houses before returning to Alaska during the development of the state’s film incentive in 2010. There he was a large advocate for production education and crew development throughout Alaska.

In 2011 D.K. formed the non-profit group Alaska Filmmakers to highlight and educate current and up and coming storytellers. He worked as a full-time Assistant Director and Producer for multiple local, national and international commercials, feature projects and short films while also teaching Documentary Film Production at the Univ. of Alaska Anchorage. He was later recognized as one of Alaska’s Top 40 Under 40 by the Alaska Journal of Commerce in 2015.

D.K. is now a DGA/CA Qualified AD and splits his time between Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO with his wife Katie and their two dogs. Recently Tri-Seven Pictures produced it's first feature length film due out in early 2018.

Credits

Army & Coop(2017)Film
(Comedy)
ProducerMike "Army" Armstrong is a 20-year veteran professional hockey player, who has been suspended for punching out his coach on live TV. While waiting for the final word on his reinstatement into the league Army finds himself living with college students, after the love of his life leaves him, and having to continue to work at her father's bar to get by. Over the course of one shift at the bar, Mudrocks, Army looses his dog Cooper, is dropped by his Agent, and the love of his life, Jen, gets engaged to his arch nemesis, Dick the bar's untalented folk singer. Throughout the story Army struggles with his own vices with the help of his friend Scott, and a handful of colorful bar patrons, in an attempt to prove to Jen that he is worth a second chance. Mean while his dog Cooper finds himself wandering the community while being pursued by the bar's dishwasher, Murray. Written by Tri-Seven Pictures

Ice(2017)Film
(Drama and Sport)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorRivals and best friends, two figure skaters embark on a near decade long journey for Olympic gold.

Stadium Anthems(2017)Film
(Comedy, Music and Musical)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorAn independent record label struggles in the Internet Age.

Our Souls at Night(2017)Film
(Drama)
Miscellaneous CrewIn Holt, a small Colorado town, Addie Moore (Jane Fonda) pays an unexpected visit to a neighbor, Louis Waters (Robert Redford). Her husband died years ago, as did his wife, and in such a small town they'd been neighbors for decades, but had little contact. Their children (Matthias Schoenaerts and Judy Greer) live far away and they are all alone in their big houses. Addie seeks to establish a connection, and make the most of the rest of the time they have. Written by Polly_Kat

Walden(2017)Film
(Drama)
Transportation departmentA radical, western re-imagining of Henry David Thoreau's classic, interlacing three stories about the trappings of 21st century life and those who dream dangerously of escape.

Tater Tot & Patton(2016)Film
by Andrew Kightlinger (Drama)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorA college dropout spends a summer on a South Dakota ranch, unhinging her Uncle's placid alcoholic life.

Centura Health(2016)Commercial
by Studio C3Grip

Father of Lies(2016)Film
(Short and Drama)
ProducerA grizzled Alaskan dad warns his son as they sit around the campfire. The man's eyes are bloodshot and forlorn behind a mask of cigarette smoke and flame. Passing his son a sip of whiskey, he warns that demon taunting is hereditary. The boy listens to his fathers tale from his days as a pastor when he was confronted by darkness. Written by Tri-Seven Pictures

Gnaw(2016)Film
(Horror)
Miscellaneous CrewJennifer Conrad is a small-town girl starting over in the big city. Fleeing an abusive relationship, all she wants is a chance to begin again. But it is hard to start over when something is eating you while you sleep . . . on painful bite at a time.

The Force on Earth: Task of the Apprentice(2015)Film (short)
by D.K. Johnston (Sci-Fi)
Producer, Director, Actor, WriterIn the second installment of The Force on Earth series we launch into a three-part storyline beginning with Task of the Apprentice. Watch as a young Sith Apprentice infiltrates a Jedi training facility in order to upload secure documents to an unknown party. However, she must first face off against the various guards and Jedi Knights that stand in her way. Written by Tri-Seven Pictures

Moose(2015)Film
by G. Logan Dellinger (Comedy)
ProducerIn the small town of Gangrene Gulch, Alaska, the new Park Ranger, Zach, arrives at his post just in time to investigate a string of suspicious deaths. He teams up with Mike the veteran ranger and Sam the beautiful and determined young coroner's assistant to solve the murders. The hilarious residents of the rural Alaskan town must turn to the rangers to save them from the half-man half-moose, moosataur. Written by Jamie O'Connor

The Pipeline(2015)Film (short)
by Caitlin Kazepis (Drama)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorA woman, whose father dies, is left a trust fund tied to a mysterious name, unraveling a history of family, affairs, and life in Alaska. Based on true stories surrounding the building of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline.

Baby Geniuses and the Space Baby(2015)Film
by Sean McNamara (Family)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorThe plot is that a baby Is smarter then a dog in space

24-Hour Film Royal(2015)Film (short)
by D.K. JohnstonWriterParticipants are given 24 hours to completely produce a film - writing, shooting, editing - everything! Films must also incorporate three prompts that are announced at the start of the competition. Prompts may consist of lines, actions, props, themes, etc.

The Ruthless Rhymer(2015)Film
(Short, Crime, Horror and Mystery)
ActorWhen Grace was a young child, her parents were murdered by the Ruthless Rhymer. She did not understand the purpose of this brutal attack. When she grew up, she became a reporter, in hopes of covering cold cases and bringing experience to sensitive topics like her own. One day, while learning about an 'incidental' homeless death, she notices something that makes her think it's related to her parents' own murder.

Come Back Home(2014)Film (short)
by Bradford James Jackson (Drama)
Producer, Second Unit Director or Assistant Director, ActorWhen Katherine's husband, Bran, is called away for battle, she must care for their daughter, Nora, and tend to their home in his absence, unsure if he will ever return. Set in fourteenth century Scotland, 'Come Back Home' is a story about love and the burden of keeping a family together in the midst of war and uncertainty. Written by Anonymous

Six Dead Bodies Duct-Taped to a Merry-Go-Round(2014)Film (short)
by Kevin T. Bennett (Comedy, Drama and Family)
Producer, Second Unit Director or Assistant Director, WriterThe short is s dark comedy starring Kevin T. Bennett and Cheyenne Buchanan. Toby, a stranded solider, hitches a ride with a very unusual truck driver named Winston. Toby does not realize the strange cargo Winston is hauling, and what this ride may cost him.

Standards of Karen(2014)Film (short)
by Josh Lowman (Drama)
ProducerA story of a nurse, Karen, whose illegal medical practice has an unexpected visit from her neighbors, which includes a gun shot victim and a lot of blood.

The Force on Earth: Dark Encounter(2014)Film (short)
by D.K. Johnston (Action)
Producer, Director, Writer, Editorial departmentThe Force on Earth is a series of fan made short films set in today's world with a Star Wars twist. This film, and those that follow it, we hope will inspire other indie filmmakers to create and submit their own encounters with The Force in their everyday lives. Whether you are a Force user or witnessed someone using The Force we want to see it for ourselves. Written by Tri-Seven Pictures

Break in Reality(2014)Film (short)
by D.K. Johnston (Comedy, Drama and Thriller)
Editor, Director, WriterBreak in Reality is the story of one mans struggle to suppress his anger, and the consequences of bottling those feelings inside to the point of no return.

Wildlike(2014)Film
by Frank Hall Green (Adventure, Drama and Thriller)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorMackenzie, a troubled but daring teenage girl, is sent by her struggling mother to live with her uncle in Juneau, Alaska. Although Uncle seems like a supportive caretaker and friend, the relationship turns and Mackenzie is forced to run. Trying to make her way back to Seattle alone to find her absent mother, Mackenzie only winds up deeper in the Alaskan interior. Lost and with no one else to turn to, she shadows a loner backpacker, Bartlett, an unlikely father figure with scars of his own. Together, they cross the wilderness and discover sanctuary in the last frontier. Written by Anonymous

Baby Geniuses and the Treasures of Egypt(2014)Video
by Sean McNamara (Family)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorBig Baby and his father are on the loose again and this time they take the treasures from the world that are associated with elements of the cosmos such as the Statue of Ra (representing the Sun) and other items that will allow them to travel into space. The young Baby Geniuses team is on its way to recapture the criminals and return the objects. Once again these talkative baby agents are filled with knowledge of the universe and are greater than the FBI. Although most adults cannot understand these adorable tots, there are a few that can help the baby squad analyze the information that the kids get to help solve the crimes. Written by Mark Bruno

Exes(2013)Television
(Comedy)
ProducerFormer lovers Ben and Angie help each other get through a tough breakup. Meanwhile, Ben's coworker Mike tries to get him to pursue fellow coworker Steph.

Story Time(2013)Film (short)
by Levi A. Taylor (Drama and Mystery)
Producer, Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorIn 1991 young Jack Ryder, and his sister Hope, find themselves the audience to their father, Billy Ray's cautionary tales of dwindling freedoms threatened by a New World Order.

When Strangers Meet(2013)Film
by Charles Kaufman (Drama)
EditorSpencer Maxson is a hard-headed agent who never sleeps. His wife, Jade, is a struggling actress that is trying to be a good spouse and raise their child. Beau Maxson is Spencer's younger, estranged brother who deals with his problems through incessant drug use. Charlotte is a green eyed stripper with her head in the clouds. She gets involved and the story begins. Written by Charles Kaufman

Night Moves(2013)Film
by Kelly Reichardt (Drama and Thriller)
Second Unit Director or Assistant DirectorJosh and Dena, two young environmental activists, are planning a large scale act to force the world to think about what they're doing to the environment. They pull in Harmon, a man with a sketchy past, to help them pull off their big plan. However, unforeseen consequences bring a whole host of guilt, paranoia and other problems, and their ultimate act will change themselves more than the world around them. Written by Anne Campbell

Baby Geniuses and the Mystery of the Crown Jewels(2013)Video
by Sean McNamara (Family)
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director, Sound departmentWhen valuable objects begin disappearing throughout Europe, it's up to a band of brilliant babies to travel overseas and catch the thieves before it's too late.

Proper Binge(2013)Film
by Dean Q. Mitchell (Comedy and Drama)
ActorFor Burgess "Buzz" Zwink (Bradford Jackson), wasting life is a way of life. At thirty-two years old, and still living with his parents, Buzz's adult life seems to be nothing more than a continuous haze of debauchery. That is until his carefree recklessness lands his lifelong friend in the hospital after another of his drunken mishaps. Faced with the reality of his choices as he reluctantly forces himself into sobriety, Buzz begins to realize just how much pain he has caused to those around him. With the help of a young Inupiaq boy (D'Artagnon Moonin), and an elderly, life-long alcoholic (Thomas G. Jacobs), Buzz must face his past, present, and possible future in order to take his life back from the bottle, and above all else, seek forgiveness not only from those he has wronged, but from himself. Written by Proper Binge

The Frankenstein Theory(2013)Film
by Andrew Weiner (Horror and Sci-Fi)
Art departmentFrom the makers of The Last Exorcism comes a boldly original vision of horror. What if the most chilling novel of all time was actually based on a true account of a horrific experiment gone awry? When he is suspended from his university job for his outlandish ideas, Professor John Venkenheim leads a documentary film crew to the rim of the Arctic Circle in a desperate effort to vindicate his academic reputation. His theory: Mary Shelley's ghastly story, "Frankenstein," is, in fact, a work of non-fiction disguised as fantasy. In the vast, frozen wilderness, Venkenheim and his team search for the legendary monster, a creature mired in mystery and drenched in blood. What they find is an unspeakable truth more terrifying than any fiction...a nightmare from which there is no waking. Written by Image Entertainment

The Darkness(2012)Film (short)
by Levi A. Taylor (Drama and Thriller)
Producer'What do you do when the light that keeps you going reminds you of what you fear the most?' MJ RYDER had the perfect home, husband BILLY RAY RYDER and little baby JACK, life was safe. Experience the thrill ride of emotions when the illusion of her world is blown up by a surprise discovery. What creates a monster, what experiences shape the mind of our future? The Darkness crosses the line and exposes the moments where doubt and fear creep in. Written by Anonymous

The Last Thing I Do(2012)Film (short)
by Matt Jardin (Comedy)
EditorTwo strangers are trapped in a laundry room in the middle of a zombie apocalypse! As they come to terms with what this means for society and their loved ones, they realize that there is only one thing left for them to do.

Married to the Army: Alaska(2012)Television
(Reality-TV)
Camera and Electrical DepartmentAlaska is home to more than 10,000 active-duty soldiers, about 7,500 of whom are currently deployed in Afghanistan. The war in Iraq may be over, but for those families whose loved ones are still gone, life is challenging, especially in the last frontier, an assignment the military considers as demanding as an overseas post. For the women whose husbands serve in the US Army, "deployment" is not just an abstract word heard on the evening news. It's real, it's tough, and it turns their world upside down. Military wives find themselves in a unique sisterhood that only they can understand. Written by OWN

Scare(2012)Film (short)
by Matt Jardin (Comedy, Drama and Romance)
Editorial departmentMAX wakes up to find himself in the most terrifying situation of his life: a pregnancy scare! As he and his girlfriend ZOE go to take a pregnancy test, their relationship also gets tested as they're forced to reexamine what it means to them. Can the two of them make it out unscathed? Written by Anonymous

Day in Our Bay: Voices & Views from Bristol Bay(2011)Film (short)
by Mary Katzke (Documentary, Biography, Family and History)
Miscellaneous CrewBristol Bay Native Corporation invited its shareholders to share their voices, views and values through personal videos that show the people, places and cultural practices most important to them. All footage was shot on one day: October 15, 2011. Written by Anonymous